I’ve been in love with the Academy Awards for over two decades, and I get really excited about the nominations every year. I used to call my mom from the pay phone in my high school lobby in the days before the internet to check out the nominees. The year 2017 has been an unusually great year for cinema, with so many great films worthy of recognition, it will be interesting to see who makes the cut and who gets left out. I refuse to use the word “snub,” except to say that I refuse to use it.

Let’s check out my predictions: Since we don’t know how many Best Picture nominees there will be, I’ve ranked them in order of likelihood.

Best Production DesignBeauty and the Beast
Blade Runner 2049
Darkest Hour
Dunkirk
The Shape of Water

Best CinematographyBlade Runner 2049
Darkest Hour
Dunkirk
Mudbound
The Shape of Water

Best Makeup and HairstylingDarkest Hour
I, Tonya
Wonder

Best Costume DesignBeauty and the Beast
The Greatest Showman
Phantom Thread
The Shape of Water
Victoria and Abdul

Best Film EditingBaby Driver
Dunkirk
Get Out
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Visual EffectsBlade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
The Shape of Water
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
War for the Planet of the Apes

~A2Z Analysiz~
It should be a big day for The Shape of Water, which could tie or conceivably (though not likely) break the nominations record. Also look for a big nomination tally for Dunkirk, and plenty of praise for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Check back tomorrow morning and see how I did!